PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Michael Cole (ranked 317 p4p, 40 weight class) and Dao Sonnen (ranked 167 p4p, 20 weight class). Cole comes to the cage accompanied by I Won't Back Down. Sonnen has chosen The Devil's Doorbell as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Dao Sonnen has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Michael Cole's chin.

Cole
vs
Sonnen

175 cm
29
200 lbs
24 - 11 - 0

183 cm
31
188 lbs
22 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Cole!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dao Sonnen!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sonnen moves out of range of the strikes.
Sonnen throws a body shot but no joy.
Good leg kick by Sonnen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Cole with a poor takedown
and Sonnen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sonnen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Cole's hands.
We've been hearing reports that Cole has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Good work by Cole as he checks the leg kick.
Sonnen swings for the body but Cole moves out of range.
Sonnen lands a nice looking body kick.
Sonnen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Cole counters with a left to the body.
Cole's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sonnen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Cole scrambles back to his feet.
Cole chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sonnen can pounce on him.
Sonnen throws a jab but it's blocked by Cole.
Cole is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Sonnen looks to score with a jab to the body but Cole is just out of range.
Cole tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sonnen was well out of range. Poor timing from Cole.
Cole takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole tries a low kick but Sonnen avoids it.
Sonnen looks to score with a jab to the body but Cole is just out of range.
Sonnen scores with a crisp jab that stopped Cole in his tracks.
Sonnen misses with a low kick.
Cole was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cole. Sonnen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sonnen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Cole is out of range.
Cole throws a body shot but no joy.
Sonnen tries to score with a low kick but Cole moves his leg out of the way.
Sonnen scores with a nice head shot.
Sonnen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Sonnen scores with the left hand. Cole knows he should have avoided that one.
Cole lands a really nice looking cross but Sonnen seems unphased.
Jab by Cole.
Sonnen cracks Cole with a good jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sonnen gets caught napping as Cole dives in and scores a takedown. Sonnen manages to retain guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cole wants to control from the top but Sonnen keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sonnen wants to sweep here but Cole controlling him for the moment.
Sonnen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sonnen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cole wants to pass the guard but Sonnen is keeping the position.
Sonnen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Cole works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Cole seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sonnen is looking for a sweep. Cole is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen trying to control here.
Sonnen tries to roll over but Cole keeps him under control.
Cole lands with a punch from half guard.
Cole is thwarting Sonnen's attempts to control the position.
Cole wants to pass the guard but Sonnen is defending well.
Sonnen has hold of Cole's hands but Cole slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sonnen trying to control but Cole postures up.
Cole working Sonnen over with strikes.
Sonnen wants to get back to full guard.
Sonnen has hold of Cole's hands but Cole slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Cole is trying to control the action in half guard but Sonnen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Cole connects with a nice short shot to Sonnen's temple.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sonnen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cole scores with a couple of nice shots.
Cole is nestled in close to Sonnen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sonnen tries to roll over but Cole keeps him under control.
Sonnen is pressing down on Cole's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sonnen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Cole's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Cole scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sonnen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cole is one step ahead there.
Cole cracks Sonnen with a solid left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Michael Cole will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Sonnen cracks a nice hook into Cole's ribs.
Sonnen throws a hook to the side of Cole's head but Cole sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sonnen looks to throw the jab but Cole is out of range.
No joy there for Cole, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sonnen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Cole moves forwards but Sonnen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Cole fails with an attempt to clinch.
A low kick from Cole is predictable there
letting Sonnen counter with a right hand.

Cole changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Sonnen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sonnen tries to improve position but can't.
Cole is looking to take a break and control but Sonnen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sonnen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Sonnen some visible discomfort.
Michael Cole overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sonnen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cole lands a decent elbow from side control.
Sonnen is not content to let Cole control the position.
Sonnen is trying to control Cole's posture but Cole avoids it.
Sonnen manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Sonnen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sonnen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sonnen is on top in guard.

Cole trying to control the position here.
Sonnen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cole looking to control.
Sonnen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cole swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cole is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sonnen trying to control the position from guard on top but Cole is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole trying to control the position here.
Sonnen wants to pass the guard but Cole is keeping the position.
Cole controls Sonnen momentarily but Sonnen frees himself.
Sonnen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cole swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Sonnen trying to control but Cole is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Dao Sonnen seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Sonnen misses with an uppercut.
Sonnen throws a body punch but Cole moves out of range.
It looked like Cole was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Sonnen.
Sonnen has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Sonnen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cole appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sonnen's corner calls for a 1-2. Sonnen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sonnen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Sonnen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Cole throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sonnen's waist but Sonnen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cole off to one side.
Jab from Cole.
Sonnen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cole.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cole walks into a straight right hand from Sonnen.
Cole drops his hands momentarily and Sonnen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dao Sonnen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Cole jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

It looks like Dao Sonnen has been cut.
Sonnen lands a jab to Cole's midsection.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cole. Sonnen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cole moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sonnen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cole checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sonnen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cole.
Cole cracks Sonnen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Cole just misses with a punch to the body.
Sonnen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen shoots in and drives through. Cole sprawls well.
Sonnen misses with a left hand
and Cole counters with a stiff right hand.
A swing and a miss from Sonnen.
Cole misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sonnen avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen misses with a body kick.
Sonnen throws a lazy uppercut
and Cole counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Sonnen swings widly with a right hand
and Cole makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Cole looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Cole throws a sloppy body shot
and Sonnen makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Sonnen throws a shot from downtown. Cole moves away and avoids it.
Sonnen misses the shot to the body.
Sonnen takes a swing at Cole's ribcage but misses.
It looked like Cole wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sonnen throws a lazy right hand but Cole sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cole lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Cole misses with an uppercut. Sonnen saw that one coming.
Cole is looking to wear down Sonnen with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Sonnen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Cole doesn't seem bothered though.
Dao Sonnen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen throws a sloppy head kick and Cole moves out of range easily.
Sonnen misses with a wild combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sonnen checks a low kick from Cole.
Cole takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Cole slips under a jab from Sonnen.
Cole waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sonnen.
Cole shoots in looking for a takedown but Sonnen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cole's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cole misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sonnen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Cole walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Sonnen scores with a nice right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sonnen but Sonnen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sonnen looks to land a body kick but Cole moved away.
Cole staying out of range there.
A little feinted left hand from Cole on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Cole loads up on a big right hand but Sonnen slips the punch.
Sonnen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sonnen just misses with a punch to the body.
Sonnen's corner calls for a 1-2. Sonnen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Cole takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sonnen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Cole moves in looking to clinch but Sonnen pushes him off.
Cole looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Sonnen scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Sonnen wants to pass the guard but Cole is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole is looking to control Sonnen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cole avoid being mounted?
Cole controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Cole is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cole wants to control but Sonnen is keeping busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dao Sonnen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sonnen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dao Sonnen!
During a confident post fight interview, Dao Sonnen thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.